Top for containers



May 22, 1928.

R. L. F EAGLES TOP FOR CONTAINERS Fild Sept. 17, 1926 INVENTOR 7Puaa zd ZM 21.1114! ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 22, 1928.

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A pplication'filed September 17,1926. :Seria1:No.'186,019.

The invention relates to stops for containers and particularly to -tops for milk cans.

The object of the invention is to provide a novel and sanitary onepiece lid that effectively closes the'container and has a maximum ofstrength and protects the container from injury from concussions or impacts on the lid.

Another object is to provide a lid that may be readily restored to normal shape in case it may have been mashed or distorted in use.

Another object is to provide a lid that will permit containers to be firmly stacked one upon another and thereby gain space in shipping or storing the containers.

Other objects and advantages will beset forth hereinafter. I

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is an elevational'view of a fraction of a container with the invention a plied thereto; Fig. 2 a plan view of t e lid; Fig. 3 an enlarged vertical cross-section of the lid and container; Fig. 4 a cross section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 an end view of one of the reinforcements; Fig. 6 a cross section on line 6-6 of Fig. 2 and Fig. 7 a cross section on line 77 of Fig. 2.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention the receptacle 1 is of any selected type but preferably of a type wherein the 1 wall of the receptacle is free from corners or ledges that will not readily clean, the illustrative receptacle having a restricted upper portion or neck 2 which curves gently into the lower cylindrical wall. A reinforcing hand 3 is secured to the outer face of the neck adjacent to its mouth, and at each of two diametrically opposite points on the band are two lugs 4 between each pair of which lugs is pivoted a lever 5 adapted to be engaged by a spring 6 that depends from the lid 7. This lever functions similarly to the lever described in Patent No. 1,445,869 to Ohalfant.

The lid 7 is formed of a single sheet of metal by pressing the material with suitable dies to form a slightly concaved top 8, a

gasket supporting channel 9 for the reception of a gasket 10 and a depending annular rim or flange 11. The rim or flange 11 fits within the mouth of the receptacle, and the upper end of the neck 2 and the upper edge of the band project into the channel 9 and abut the gasket to seal the mouth of the receptacle ,w-hen the-levers 5 arees-w-ung toaivertical.position. Themateriallis-fold- 6 ed upon itself to form the channel 9 so that there is a double wall surrounding the upper end or mouth ofthe receptacle and extending over its edge.

An opening 12 is formed in the rim or flange 11 that will vent the receptacle should any accumulation of gas therein be sufficient to overcome the tension of the springs and raise the lid so as to expose the opening.

On the top surface of the lid are secured, preferably by spot welding, two relatively wide reinforcing plates 13 and 14 that project over the edge of the lid, the projecting portions being curved downwardly and outwardly and, then curved downwardly and inwardl to form the beads 15' and 16.' A slot 17 is formed in each projectin portion of the plates and the material ad acent to the slot is fashioned into a tube 18 upon which tubes the springs 6 are hung 0r suspended. Radial reinforcing ribs 19 are are formed on each plate. These plates may be cast or stamped or forged out of metal.

When the lid is applied to a container and the locking levers are turned downwardly considerable tension is placed on the springs and strain is placed on the lid. The

springs being engaged on the tubes 18 that are part of the relatively wide reinforcing lates the strain is so evenly distributed over the lid that the lid seats accurately and in fluid tight manner on the receptacle and it retains its rigid condition.

- What I claim is:

1. The combination of an open top container, a lid pressed from a single sheet of material having its edge portion folded upon itself and bent downwardly, the material of the lid extending beyond the said folded portion and being bent downwardly in spaced relation to the inner wall of said folded portion whereby to form a gasket receiving space, a gasket in said space, said space being adapted to also receive the mouth of the container, reinforcing members permanently secured to the lid and having portions extending downwardly over the side of the lid, supports formed in the extended portions of the reinforcing members respectively, means suspended on the support and means on the container to engage the suspended means for locking the lid on the container.

2. The combination of an open'top conill) tainer, levers pivotally mounted on the con- 10 the said space also receiving the mouth of the container, reinforcing plates permanently secured to the lid, the outer. portion of each plate projecting downwardly over the side of the lid and having asupport formed therein and a resilient member suspended on the support and adapted to engage any one of the levers.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 31st day of August, 1926, 1

; RALPH L. FEAGLES. 

